WHAT IS SALVIA DIVINORUM AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM OTHER DRUGS?

If you think you have already seen and done everything in the psychoactive world, such as magic mushrooms, LSD and ayahuasca, then Salvia Divinorum might be the next logical step. But then be prepared for the most insane experience you've ever had. This plant will take you on an intense trip that is unlike any other. In this blog, we will discuss what Salvia Divinorum is and how it compares to other drugs.

What is Salvia Divinorum

At first glance, Salvia Divinorum seems like a harmless little plant. The plant is a member of the mint family, but make no mistake: don't make this a nice cup of tea that you work down with a biscuit (unless you are ready for a wild trip). This is because Salvia Divinorum contains the most powerful plant-based hallucinogen currently known, salvinorin A. With a dose of 200 to 500 micrograms, you have enough for a powerful trip.

What makes Salvia so special is that the substance salvinorin A affects the brain in a unique way. Most psychedelics act on serotonin receptors, while salvinorin acts directly on kappa opiate receptors. This allows it to induce different effects from well-known mind-altering drugs such as magic mushrooms, truffles, LSD or mescaline. The effects of substances that affect the kappa opiate receptors are often perceived as bizarre and even unpleasant. It is important to factor this property into your assessment if you are considering using Salvia.

The effects usually occur after just 5 to 10 minutes, when you chew the leaves. These last for about an hour.

Salvia Divinorum and differences from other drugs

So what are the differences between the effects of Salvia and other drugs? You can think of it as the difference between an expensive racing car and an ordinary, everyday car you see on the highway. Take LSD and magic mushrooms, for example. A trip with these drugs will give you an hour-long experience, giving you visual and mental hallucinations, possibly even valuable insights about your life.

Salvia, by comparison, is an intense whirlwind or rocket launch. You get an incredibly intense but short trip, which in some cases is over before you even realise what was happening. Because of this, a trip can also be disorienting and confusing, which is why tripping with Salvia is not a good idea for inexperienced users.

DMT also differs from Salvia. DMT is known for fast, but also profound visions. Salvia is similar to it because of the intensity of the experience, but instead of visual hallucinations, with Salvia you experience a loss of self (an ego death) and an alienation from reality. So what you can experience with Salvia is definitely a very different trip than you will get with other drugs.

What are the effects of Salvia Divinorum?

As you could read, Salvia can induce a tremendously intense trip. Below, we explain exactly what the effects are:

Mental effects

After a dose of Salvia, you may feel confused. The substance salvinorin A is known for its ability to cause cognitive suppression. This can make you feel very confused and disoriented. An additional phenomenon is that normal mental processes can also be suppressed, which can make you feel alienated from your own self. A trip with Salvia can really be quite upsetting and even unpleasant.

People who have experience with this plant report experiencing frequent feelings of anxiety and panic. These feelings can be intensified by activation of the kappa opiate receptors. Another phenomenon is that you may feel like transforming into another person, object or even animals or plants.

Visual effects

Visual effects are a normal phenomenon when using psychedelics. Yet the visual effects that occur with Salvia Divinorum differ from those of other (classic) drugs. For instance, it can cause a complete loss of depth perception. You can then no longer see depth and the world around you seems completely flat. Objects around you can also become totally distorted or become larger or smaller. If you use a higher dose or trip in the dark, you can perceive complicated fractal structures (even with your eyes closed), which can extend over large distances.

Physical sensations

When you take Salvia, you will also experience physical effects. One of the most notable is the "Salvia gravity". People report that this feels like gravity suddenly increases. You feel a heavy pressure against your body, which keeps increasing, until it feels like you are being lifted out of your body and transported through strange and unknown dimensions. Furthermore, you may also experience other bodily sensations, such as feeling as if your body is splitting in two or being stretched. You may also experience sharp or cold tingling of the skin.

Is Salvia safe to use?

In principle, Salvia is a safe drug. It does not seem to encourage addiction, nor does it have harmful effects on the body. The biggest risks lie in the disturbing experiences and the impact this can have on you. A trip can induce a lot of anxiety, especially when you experience a dissociative state. It also happens that people themselves do not remember taking the drug, making the trip even more disturbing. There are also stories where a user starts running or wants to climb out of a window during the trip. Then, of course, there is a high risk of injury altogether. Always make sure a trip sitter is present when you want to use Salvia.

So tripping with Salvia Divinorum is a short, but very powerful experience. Do not start this if you have never taken a mind-altering drug before. A trip with this plant is certainly not always fun or pleasant and is not something you just take during a party. Other substances are really more suitable for that.

Unknown long-term effects and risks

Although much is known about the short-term effects of Salvia Divinorum, little scientific research has been done into the long-term effects of regular or repeated use. Because Salvia acts on kappa-opiate receptors and not serotonin receptors (like classical psychedelics), it is unclear what impact it has on the brain in the long term.

Currently, there is no evidence that Salvia is addictive, but there are also no comprehensive studies that rule out that repeated use may have psychological or neurological consequences. Some possible risks reported by users, but not yet scientifically confirmed, are:

• Prolonged derealisation and dissociation (lasting sense of alienation from reality).
• Cognitive changes such as memory problems or loss of concentration.
• Increased susceptibility to anxiety and panic disorders, especially in people prone to mental illness.

As there are no comprehensive long-term studies yet, it is important to exercise caution when using Salvia Divinorum and to seek professional advice if you are unsure about the possible effects.

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. The information in this article is based on general sources and personal interpretations and has not been reviewed by medical or scientific personnel.

The use of Salvia Divinorum can carry psychological, physical and legal risks. The effects can be unpredictable and intense, and there is a risk of disorientation, anxiety and dangerous behaviour. We strongly recommend seeking medical and professional advice before considering using psychoactive substances.

In addition, laws and regulations regarding Salvia Divinorum may vary by country or region. Readers are responsible for checking the applicable laws in their place of residence.

The authors and publishers of this blog accept no liability for any damages, injuries, legal consequences or other negative consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this article. Use at your own risk and full responsibility.

Warning for Vulnerable Groups

The use of Salvia Divinorum is not recommended for the following vulnerable groups:

• People with mental disorders: People with depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia or other mental disorders are at increased risk of negative experiences, worsening of symptoms or long-term psychological consequences.
• People with a family history of mental disorders: Insufficient scientific research has been done on the effect of Salvia Divinorum in people with genetic predisposition to mental disorders, but the risk of psychosis or dissociation may possibly be increased.
• Individuals with a history of anxiety or panic attacks: Salvia Divinorum can induce strong disorientation, confusion and anxiety, which may trigger a panic reaction.
• People with cardiovascular disease: The drug can cause physical stress and changes in blood pressure, which can be risky for people with underlying heart problems.
• People taking medication: Salvia Divinorum can potentially interact with medications, especially psychopharmaceuticals (such as antidepressants, antipsychotics or anti-anxiety drugs). Always consult a doctor before considering using this drug.
• Minors and pregnant women: There is no scientific evidence on the safety of Salvia Divinorum during pregnancy or in adolescents. Use is therefore not recommended.